“The growth of any town or city is largely dependent on the character and expansive abilities of its industries and the character of the labor which these industries employ. Intelligent and educated labor is ambitious; it is made of the stuff that builds and creates; it enlarges its capabilities and forges to the front.”       Charles M. Thompson

By the early 1900s Norwood had come to be thought of as the “printing center of the United States.” Not only did they have two large printing companies and a small printing firm, but there was also a tannery that supplied leather for book covers, a company that made printing ink for newspapers, and a company that manufactured cloth for book covers.

The Norwood Business Association (pre-cursor to the Norwood Chamber of Commerce) believed Norwood was an excellent place to establish a new company. The railroad lines made commuting to Boston or to nearby towns easy, and provided a convenient way for companies to move their products. Fresh air and a bucolic lifestyle would be beneficial to employees and there was plenty of undeveloped land to build new homes and businesses upon. Plus, the town had excellent schools and churches, and offered a robust social life. The citizens and businesses of Norwood welcomed the idea of attracting new businesses to Norwood.

Click the links below to learn more:

How to Grow a Town –>

The Norwood Press –>

Plimpton Press: Book Making in its Entirety –>

Lock-Outs, Walk-Outs & Strikes –>

But What About the Women? –>

Holliston Mills: Wraps it up! –>

Extra! Extra! The Norwood Messenger –>

George H. Morrill Company –>

Norwood’s Second Annual “Tiot” Relay Race Raises Funds for Youth Recreation-This Day In Norwood History-July 12, 1976

Norwood’s Second Annual “Tiot” Relay Race Raises Funds for Youth Recreation-This Day In Norwood History-July 12, 1976

georgenhs Jul 11, 2026 3 min read

Sponsored by the Ponderosa Lounge, the successful community fundraiser combined athletic competition with a picnic to benefit local recreational projects.

Hockey players in maroon and yellow uniforms compete on ice rink with puck and enthusiastic crowd

Milton Developer Plans Indoor Ice Rink for Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-July 12, 1972

georgenhs Jul 11, 2026 2 min read

The proposed 240-by-100-foot steel arena aims to serve youth hockey teams and the public, with an anticipated opening in November 1972.

Talk Of The Town-July 6, 1889

Talk Of The Town-July 6, 1889

georgenhs Jul 5, 2026 13 min read

A chaotic post‑Fourth week in Norwood brings a 19‑7 ball‑field thrashing, runaway horse disasters, and a ban on foot‑powered sidewalk speedsters.

June 2024 calendar with historical events including Juneteenth and D-Day, featuring Roman soldiers, Abraham Lincoln bust, museum visitors, and WWII soldiers.

Top Posts-June 2026

georgenhs Jul 1, 2026 1 min read

Top This Day in Norwood History Posts-June 2026 Top Stories of June — This Day in Norwood History June brought a wide range of stories to This Day In Norwood … Continue reading Top Posts-June 2026

Top Posts-May 2026

Top Posts-May 2026

georgenhs Jun 1, 2026 9 min read

Top This Day in Norwood History Posts-May 2026 From Prohibition‑era liquor raids to championship seasons, neighborhood histories, and lives of service, May’s most‑read stories trace Norwood’s character across more than … Continue reading Top Posts-May 2026


Discover more from Norwood Historical Society

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.